Rosary prayer aid

ABSTRACT

A prayer aid includes a base having a top surface. A plurality of indents are defined on the top surface. The plurality of indents align to resemble a rosary. The indents align to form a loop corresponding to the five decade beads of the rosary, and a length corresponding with the antiphon beads of the rosary. The number of indents corresponds with the number of beads of the rosary. A cross may be embossed on the top surface next to the length of indents to further resemble the rosary. A marker is sized to fit within each of the plurality of indents individually. The marker is moveable from one to another of the plurality indents.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/772,349, filed Nov. 28, 2018, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rosary and, more particularly, to a rosary block.

The Holy Rosary refers to a form of prayer psalter used in the Catholic Church and to the string of knots or beads used to count the component prayers. While praying the holy rosary, one can lose count of the beads.

As can be seen, there is a need for a rosary that prevents a user from losing their count of the beads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a prayer aid comprises: a base comprising a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a plurality of indents aligning to resemble a rosary; and a marker sized to fit within each of the plurality of indents individually, wherein the marker is moveable from one of the plurality of indents to another of the plurality indents.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of praying a rosary comprises: providing prayer aid comprising: a base comprising a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a plurality of indents aligning to resemble a rosary; and a marker; and moving the marker along the plurality of indents while praying the rosary.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a customizable rosary reconfiguration using patterned holes with corresponding markers. The present invention may be a box made of wood, metal, plastic, or some other material. The present invention further uses a marker to keep track of exactly which prayer a user is on during a rosary prayer. The present invention keeps track of one's location during the entire rosary prayer process, as well as allowing for personalizing and decorating of each of the surfaces. The present invention inspires children and adults alike to pray the rosary more often because it allows for variety of creativity as far as the appearance and the usage.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a prayer aid. The prayer aid includes a base 10 having a top surface 16. A plurality of indents 12 are defined on the top surface. The plurality of indents 12 align to resemble a rosary. The indents 12 align to form a loop corresponding to the five decade beads of the rosary, and a length corresponding with the antiphon beads of the rosary. The number of indents 12 corresponds with the number of beads of the rosary. A cross 20 may be embossed on the top surface 16 next to the length of indents 12 to further resemble the rosary. A marker 22 is sized to fit within each of the plurality of indents 12 individually. The marker 22 is moveable from one to another of the plurality indents 12.

The marker 22 of the present invention may include a ball, such as a bead or marble. In such embodiments, the indent 12 may be a rounded and conical shaped indent to receive and secure the marker 22 within. The user may easily move the ball along the indents 12 when praying the rosary.

The base 10 of the present invention may resemble a rectangular cuboid shaped box or various shapes. The base 10 may further include a bottom surface 26, sidewalls 18, and the top surface 16. The bottom surface 26, sidewalls 18 and the top surface 16 may be customized and decorated. A beveled edge 14 may adjoin the sidewalls 18 and the top surface 16. A keyhole opening 32 is defined through the bottom surface 26. The keyhole opening 32 may allow a user to hang the base 10 on a wall. An opening 24 may be defined through the bottom surface 26 leading into an internal compartment of the base 10. The ball fits through the opening 24 to be stowed inside the base 10.

Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, a base 30 may include a bottom surface 26, sidewalls 18, and the top surface 16. The bottom surface 26, sidewalls 18 and the top surface 16 may be customized and decorated. A beveled edge 14 may adjoin the sidewalls 18 and the top surface 16. A keyhole opening 32 is defined through the bottom surface 26. The marker 36 may be an elongated rod, such as a peg. In such embodiment, the base 30 includes elongated slots extending downwards from the plurality of indents 28. The elongated slots are sized to receive the elongated rod 36 therein. An elongated slot may be defined through one of the sidewalls 18 so that the elongated rod 36 may fit therein while the present invention is not in use.

Referring to FIGS. 9 through 11, a base 40 may include a bottom surface 26, sidewalls 18, and the top surface 16. The bottom surface 26, sidewalls 18 and the top surface 16 may be customized and decorated. A beveled edge 14 may adjoin the sidewalls 18 and the top surface 16. The marker 42 may be brad. In such embodiment, the base 40 includes elongated slots extending downwards from the plurality of indents 38. The elongated slots are sized to receive the brad therein. An elongated slot may be defined through one of the sidewalls so that the brad may fit therein while the present invention is not in use.

As mentioned above, the base 10 of the present invention may include a box. The box may be painted and decorated. A lacquer may be used to treat the wood. A vinyl surface may also be applied. The present invention may further be engraved to further decorate the upper surface or the remainder of the box.

The present invention functions in the same manner as a beaded-type rosary. However, the present invention offers much more variety, which in turn, inspires people to pray the prayers more often. The user starts with the choice of base, then uses the appropriate marker to keep his/her place on the base as he/she prays the prayers. The base may come with a “How To Pray the Rosary” brochure.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. Designs of each type of base are created. The base is cut on various table saws, band saws, and combination miter saws to certain sizes. Then they are run through a certain shaped router. Next, holes are drilled on a drill press (three different hole patterns and sizes). Once the bases are drilled, the indents are beveled, creating the rosary design. Then the bases are engraved with different designs, Bible verses, and the like. Next, the base may be coated with a lacquer finish, or painted and then coated. The final product then is used to pray by the user with the appropriate marker depending on the type of base.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The user uses the appropriate marker designed for that specific base to begin the set of prayers involved in praying the Rosary. As the prayers are prayed, the appropriate marker keeps the user in place. If the user is distracted by a phone call, knock on the door, use of the restroom, kids, or other distractions, the user's marker keeps him/her in the proper place to continue.

In alternate embodiments, the rosary base includes multiple configurations. For example, the base may be made of a composite material. The base may be made of a plastic material by 3 d printing or molding.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A prayer aid comprising: a base comprising a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a plurality of indents aligning to resemble a rosary; and a marker sized to fit within each of the plurality of indents individually, wherein the marker is disposed within one of the plurality of indents and is moveable from the one to another of the plurality indents.
 2. The prayer aid of claim 1, wherein the marker is a ball.
 3. The prayer aid of claim 1, wherein the marker is a brad.
 4. The prayer aid of claim 1, wherein the marker is an elongated rod
 5. The prayer aid of claim 4, wherein the base comprises elongated slots extending downwards from the plurality of indents, wherein the elongated slots are sized to receive the elongated rod.
 6. The prayer aid of claim 1, wherein the base is a rectangular cuboid shape comprising a bottom surface, sidewalls, and the top surface.
 7. The prayer aid of claim 6, further comprising a beveled edge adjoining the sidewalls and the top surface.
 8. The prayer aid of claim 6, wherein a keyhole opening is defined through the bottom surface.
 9. The prayer aid of claim 6, further comprising an opening defined through the bottom surface leading into an internal compartment of the base, wherein the marker fits through the opening.
 10. The prayer aid of claim 1, further comprising a cross embossed on the top surface to further resemble the rosary.
 11. A method of praying a rosary comprising: providing a prayer aid comprising: a base comprising a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a plurality of indents aligning to resemble a rosary; and a marker; and moving the marker from one of the plurality of indents to another of the plurality of indents while praying the rosary.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the marker is a ball.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the marker is a brad.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the marker is an elongated rod.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the base comprises elongated slots extending downwards from the plurality of indents, wherein the elongated slots are sized to receive the elongated rod.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the base is a rectangular cuboid shape comprising a bottom surface, sidewalls, and the top surface.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the prayer aid further comprises a beveled edge adjoining the sidewalls and the top surface.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein a keyhole opening is defined through the bottom surface.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein an opening is defined through the bottom surface leading into an internal compartment of the base, wherein the marker fits through the opening.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the prayer aid further comprises a cross embossed on the top surface to further resemble the rosary. 